Although his setup does not use it, T1 Terry describes a "​middle 80%" ​approach that works well with Fractional C systems. It can eliminate the need for [[electrical:​12v:​BMS|BMS]] ​balancing:

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T1 Terry describes a gentle, relatively low-tech ​approach that can work well with vandweller use patterns. It does not use a [[electrical:​12v:​BMS|BMS]], judging that in a vandwellers'​ use the BMS introduces more hazards than it alleviates. ​ This approach:

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* starts with a balanced battery ​when installing.

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* starts with a balanced battery

* uses moderate terminal voltage (13.8v) to gently rebalance cells((http://​www.cruisersforum.com/​forums/​f14/​lifepo4-batteries-discussion-thread-for-those-using-them-as-house-banks-65069-77.html#​post1132126)),​((http://​www.cruisersforum.com/​forums/​f14/​lifepo4-batteries-discussion-thread-for-those-using-them-as-house-banks-65069-44.html#​post1096480)),​ and even become more balanced over time.((http://​www.cruisersforum.com/​forums/​f14/​lifepo4-batteries-discussion-thread-for-those-using-them-as-house-banks-65069-109.html#​post1142675)) ​ If they do get out of balance for some reason, run more conservative SoC voltages until they can be manually rebalanced.((http://​www.cruisersforum.com/​forums/​f14/​lifepo4-batteries-discussion-thread-for-those-using-them-as-house-banks-65069-294.html#​post1779359))

* uses moderate terminal voltage (13.8v) to gently rebalance cells((http://​www.cruisersforum.com/​forums/​f14/​lifepo4-batteries-discussion-thread-for-those-using-them-as-house-banks-65069-77.html#​post1132126)),​((http://​www.cruisersforum.com/​forums/​f14/​lifepo4-batteries-discussion-thread-for-those-using-them-as-house-banks-65069-44.html#​post1096480)),​ and even become more balanced over time.((http://​www.cruisersforum.com/​forums/​f14/​lifepo4-batteries-discussion-thread-for-those-using-them-as-house-banks-65069-109.html#​post1142675)) ​ If they do get out of balance for some reason, run more conservative SoC voltages until they can be manually rebalanced.((http://​www.cruisersforum.com/​forums/​f14/​lifepo4-batteries-discussion-thread-for-those-using-them-as-house-banks-65069-294.html#​post1779359))

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* charges at less than 1C, common in solar charging

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* charges ​and discharges ​at less than [[electrical:​12v:​battery_capacity|1C]], common in solar charging. i.e. less than 100A with a 100Ah bank.

* keeps the voltage "​between the [voltage] knees",​ 13.8v - 11.8v.((http://​www.cruisersforum.com/​forums/​f14/​lifepo4-batteries-discussion-thread-for-those-using-them-as-house-banks-65069-103.html#​post1140470)) ​ This is also called the "​middle 80%".

* keeps the voltage "​between the [voltage] knees",​ 13.8v - 11.8v.((http://​www.cruisersforum.com/​forums/​f14/​lifepo4-batteries-discussion-thread-for-those-using-them-as-house-banks-65069-103.html#​post1140470)) ​ This is also called the "​middle 80%".

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* does not //require// strapping((http://​www.cruisersforum.com/​forums/​f14/​lifepo4-batteries-discussion-thread-for-those-using-them-as-house-banks-65069-59.html#​post1118000)) although it is a recommended best practice((http://​www.cruisersforum.com/​forums/​f14/​lifepo4-batteries-discussion-thread-for-those-using-them-as-house-banks-65069-253.html#​post1574064))

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* does not require strapping((http://​www.cruisersforum.com/​forums/​f14/​lifepo4-batteries-discussion-thread-for-those-using-them-as-house-banks-65069-59.html#​post1118000)) although it is a recommended best practice((http://​www.cruisersforum.com/​forums/​f14/​lifepo4-batteries-discussion-thread-for-those-using-them-as-house-banks-65069-253.html#​post1574064))

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* no BMS required ("​running barefoot"​)

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Since the defining feature of this approach is the lack of BMS, it will be referred to as "​barefoot"​ on this page.

Since the defining feature of this approach is the lack of BMS, it will be referred to as "​barefoot"​ on this page.